Found this today

[mstar]

Decided to replace valve cover gaskets in my quest for fixing oil leaks.
The engine is a '71 Dauntless Buick 225 V6 V6 that to my knowledge and appearance has not been apart since new. Found this head bolt laying there and a empty hole in head. Upon further inspection it looks like they never drilled and tapped the hole in block. Yes it has run this way for who knows how long.
Compression is 165# all cylinders,no oil or water issues,runs perfect.
I have had my hands in a few engines in my time on this planet and this takes the cake! Just thought I would share and maybe someone that worked in a factory assembly plant may have a idea. mike

 

[Torxhead]

So it sounds like you think it came from the factory that way. It does look like from here that there is a proper size clearance hole in the head. If there is no thread in there you could check for the proper size tap drill diameter then tap it with an extended length tap.

 

[gert]

Wow just Wow

 

[mstar]

Torq, yes the plan is to drive it as is until a more opportune time to work on it. It's been running like that forever. I do like your idea and I will give it some consideration. Thinking of resealing the intake manifold so I may just pull the heads,clean carbon ,drill and tap the hole and see what else trouble I can find. Thanks for your input. mike

 

[gert]

Torq, yes the plan is to drive it as is until a more opportune time to work on it. It's been running like that forever. I do like your idea and I will give it some consideration. Thinking of resealing the intake manifold so I may just pull the heads,clean carbon ,drill and tap the hole and see what else trouble I can find. Thanks for your input. mike

lol and this is how the snowball starts............

 

[mstar]

lol and this is how the snowball starts............

lol, gert ive been chasing my tail for 4 months now trying to come to a stopping point.No luck ! it's all good and I love getting this ole jeep in shape for the next adventure . Besides keeps me out of the wifes hair and bank account empty. mike

 

[Hedgehog]

Snow ball is right. ..... when you pull the heads if everything is good, since the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 is known for oiling problems & burning valves this might be the time to freshen up your valve seats .... you do have very decent compression though.

Was the bolt fairly tightly jammed in place? You'd think it would rattle around in there causing all sorts of trouble.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Don't poke the 'bear'
You say it runs fine-Leave it alone.
I would be ck'n the other side, PDQ.
Just be glad, that h'bolt didn't go into the water jacket.
IF-you have a probe-CK for threads in the head.
LG

 

[Belizean]

I've got a little bit of of a similar story only probably a generation or 2 in jeep lifes later. I was at work back in late 86 and guy I knew his son had an 84 7 just like me and with the AMC 150 4 cyl like me. Sons exhaust manafold warped an cracked. Long story short one of the bolts was snapped off even with top of manafold so you could not really notice. Nice and smooth clean break. At the time he said it was a factory defect. I should have taken better notice. Few years later I was in the same situation. One of my bolts backed off also and the manafold warped and cracked ��

 

[Lumpy Grits]

OP- Could you PLZ post a picture of the threaded end of this bolt. Want to see if maybe it broke off. As the bolt sits. It looks a bit short.
LG

 

[007]

I'm a little late to the party on this but I'm with LG - leave it alone. If you have problems fix them, but this bolt isn't one of them. I wouldn't drill or tap anything either, then you have shavings to mitigate.

My 2cts.

 

[mstar]

You can be with LG all you want.I never asked for any advice about fixing anything. Not my first rodeo and I tend to disagree with a lot of the "experts" on here.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You can be with LG all you want.I never asked for any advice about fixing anything. Not my first rodeo and I tend to disagree with a lot of the "experts" on here.

And a Happy New Year to you too.


LG

 

[007]

Yeah. Wow.

My apologies?


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[Hedgehog]

Well, good luck then.

 

[mstar]

As I reread my thread it occurred to me that a apology is in order. I started this thread as a brain teaser if you will.I had not intended to pursue a solution as everything is working fine. Thanks for all the support and help you all give to this forum. There is a old saying "engage brain before speaking." Again my apologies and have a great new year.

 

[007]

No worries at all sir. Thanks for the update. That was an odd find for sure though!


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[Lumpy Grits]

All's good here.
LG